Thread: Shoubudani type 100

Originally Posted by aa1192

Maksim runs JNS right? Those are the stones I'm checking out since I have little knowledge and could easily be swindled I'm buying from a reputable source. As for details there aren't many if you check the site for the specific stone but other stones are more clearly defined. That is why I asked on here vs a google search. Thanks for the tips so far guys and please keep them coming. I may hold out for a koppa instead.

I just went and looked at what's out there. They look much like the shoubu damascus colored stone that I got from takeshi kuroda, and it's a good stone. I would not hesitate to buy one of those were I in your shoes. I can't guarantee that they're like my stone, but my stone is a very capable finisher...very capable.

You literally could finish thousands of razors on that type 100 size, and maintain every razor you're likely to ever use again. Don't let the price fool you - mine is better than any thuringian I've tried, including labeled eschers, and cost more only because it is a full sized stone. Because small stones, even those of quality, are very common in japan, and large type 24 stones are not, the price difference between them is based on rarity and not capability.

Originally Posted by aa1192

Maksim runs JNS right? Those are the stones I'm checking out since I have little knowledge and could easily be swindled I'm buying from a reputable source. As for details there aren't many if you check the site for the specific stone but other stones are more clearly defined. That is why I asked on here vs a google search. Thanks for the tips so far guys and please keep them coming. I may hold out for a koppa instead. I understand naturals are all different but I'm just looking for a ballpark. I have never heard anyone say "I bought a labeled Escher and it turned out to be 325 grit." Just round about answers are good for me. How does the hardness affect edge quality? Will a 4.5 give the same edge as say a 5+?

I would suggest to talk to Maksim about the particular stone you want to buy, he will explain in detail how it works.
Hardness doe snot always relate to fine. It all depends on the binder of the stone. It is always good to test a stone or buy from a reputable seller so that you are certain what you are getting.
I would also suggest to use the search function and read up on Jnats, we have a lot of threads discussing the properties of those stones.

If you decide to go with a Jnat, watch these videos as they were very helpful to me. I hope Stefan doesn't mind me sharing them. It will help with the technique of using a small stone.

Nagura Honing 1 - YouTube

Nagura Honing 2 - YouTube

I'm wondering about the tomo now as I read more into it all. They sell a blanket tomo, but wouldn't you want a piece very close to your stone? Geez these things are complicated and honestly I never realized the price of naguras was so high.

Originally Posted by aa1192

I'm wondering about the tomo now as I read more into it all. They sell a blanket tomo, but wouldn't you want a piece very close to your stone? Geez these things are complicated and honestly I never realized the price of naguras was so high.

Maksim will work all of that out for you. Just tell him what set up you want and he will match accordingly.

Awesome, I will shoot him an email when I'm sure of my order. Thanks again guys.

Originally Posted by aa1192

I'm wondering about the tomo now as I read more into it all. They sell a blanket tomo, but wouldn't you want a piece very close to your stone? Geez these things are complicated and honestly I never realized the price of naguras was so high.

You want something soft enough to be a good tomo (tomonagura has to let go of its particles) and you want it to be fine and consistent with no large scratchy particles. That's pretty much it. For practicality, it doesn't need to be from the same mine as your base stone, but for cosmetic purposes, it's nice if it's similar to the base stone.

there are decent tomonagura around for about $35 in the US, and I see maksim has a listing for unmarked naguras in that range. Just ask him to match a nice one to your stone, something that complements it well.

You always have the option of a very fine diamond hone to raise slurry from the base stone itself, just don't use a coarse diamond hone because in reality, none of the japanese stone have particles that small, and agitating the surface of the stone and freeing up a whole bunch of fresh particles and creating grooves like you'll do with a coarse diamond stone will decrease the stone's ability to finish a razor temporarily.